YouTube Programming Strategist

This is a Full Time Job

Programming Strategist (Optimization Nat Geo en Español YouTube)

Job Summary:

The Programming Strategist leads day-to-day management and optimization of National Geographic's YouTube channels, including NG Brand and NG en Español, driving content execution, publishing, and performance growth. This role partners cross-functionally to ensure effective distribution and alignment with platform strategy, leveraging YouTube analytics and creative tools such as Premiere and Photoshop to deliver data-driven, high-performing content across YouTube channels.

Responsibilities:

Content Production & Execution
• Optimize content, metadata, and thumbnails across YouTube channels, aligning with brand performance and best practices.
• Enter all information required for upload/metadata flow for titles, descriptions, metadata, tags, chapters, thumbnails, and end screens to YouTube.
• Ensure accuracy, quality control, and timely delivery of all published content.
• Support execution of content plans defined by the Programming Strategy team.

Channel Operations & Maintenance
• Manage daily channel operations, including homepage curation, playlist organization, metadata updates, and link maintenance.
• Work with Operations to troubleshoot upload, content, or platform issues and provide feedback on tools and workflows.
• Serve as one of the key contacts for Operations, YouTube/Google partners, and internal stakeholders.

Performance Monitoring & Optimization
• Monitor channel and content performance in partnership with Research teams.
• Track key metrics such as views, watch time, CTR, and retention.
• Apply performance learnings to improve thumbnails, titles, metadata, content packaging, publishing cadence, and testing of content formats and presentations.

Content Optimization & Platform Best Practices
• Implement YouTube best practices across all uploads and channel experiences.
• Stay current on platform trends, algorithm shifts, and emerging features.
• Assist in testing and refining thumbnails, titles, and formats using performance insights.

Cross-Functional Collaboration
• Partner with Programming, Operations, Production, Marketing, and Digital teams to execute content plans.
• Support promotional campaigns, tentpoles, and cross-platform initiatives.

Audience & Platform Insights
• Monitor audience behavior, trends, and feedback to inform optimization decisions.
• Share observations and insights with the broader team to improve programming strategy.

Platform Operations & Monetization Support
• Support technical workflows related to fingerprinting, content claims, monetization, and geo-filtering.
• Assist with implementation of platform features such as Shorts or Live initiatives.

Basic Qualifications
• Experience: 3+ years of experience managing and growing a major legacy brand's YouTube channel, with YouTube certification a plus, and an established editorial voice.
• Native-level fluency in Spanish required. Candidate must be able to both write and speak Spanish.
• Platform Expertise: Expert in digital content optimization, monetization, YouTube Studio/Analytics, growing an online community, SEO and/or copywriting, and YouTube best practices.
• Strategic & Creative: Ability to translate complex trends into actionable content strategies; skilled at collaborating with creative teams. Experience working with or within established brand guidelines for a globally recognized media company, including maintaining tone, visual style, and messaging consistency across content.
• Operational Excellence: Highly organized, meticulous attention to detail, and proficient in Adobe Photoshop, Premiere, Airtable, MS Office, Teams, and Google Workspace.
• Soft Skills: Self-starter capable of prioritizing workflows in a fast-paced environment with excellent written and verbal communication.
• Brand Affinity: Strong interest in online trends and National Geographic's programming.
• Technical Agility: Fast learner with the ability to master new systems independently; proficient in both Mac and PC environments.
• Candidates must reside within a reasonable commuting distance of the office at 7 Hudson Square in New York City. This role requires onsite work four days per week.

Required Education
• Bachelor's degree in media-related field or equivalent work experience.